Since 2009, once a year we leave from Ushuaia along the Beagle Channel and across the Drake Passage in a large boat and navigate along the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula. The plan is to ski in different bays out of the ship accessing by zodiac boats to shore, ski all day, see wildlife such a leopard seals, penguins, orcas, humpback whales and all kind of albatross, petrels

The ship change location every day to see as much as possible in a total trip of 13 days. If you are interested in looking in a map the locations we normally go are: The group of the Shetlands Islands, Livingston and King George Island Cierva Cove Lamaire Channel, Neumeyer Channel, Port Lockroy, Anvers Islands, Brabant Island

This trip is an unique adventure with five stars cruise ship service! A luxurious mountain trip! If you have a place you would like to go, please, email us to explore together.

ITINERARY

Day 1
Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina. Meet the team and your ski guide or trekking guide. Welcome Dinner. Overnight in Ushuaia.

Day 2
Board the Sea Adventurer and set sail down the Beagle Channel.

Day 3-4
Drake Passage. Sperm, fin, and humpback whales, along with skies of seabirds will accompany our journey.

Day 13
Disembark the in Ushuaia, Argentina.
*Flexibility is necessary for all Antarctic travel. This program is subject to change throughout the journey depending on ice, weather and local conditions.

The group of the Shetlands Islands, Livingston and King George Island Cierva Cove Lamaire Channel and Neumeyer Channel, Port Lockroy, Anvers Islands are some of the places that are normally skied.

THIS TRIP WILL SELL OUT

HOW IT WORKS?

Ski teams are guided by UIAGM-IFMGA mountain guides and you will meet your team in Ushuaia.

Once we reach the peninsula, there will be ski objectives for all levels; something for those with little experience to objectives that will require stamina, experience, crevasse rescue gear. There is about lots of daylight, so there is a long window of opportunity for teams to go out.

Groups are based on your experience. You will need to provide your own AT equipment.

Many ski objectives can be accessed without glacier travel or crampons, almost direct from the zodiac landing. The peaks range from 400 mts to 1400 mts straight out of the water, although there are peaks that do require significant crevasse travel.

For Ski mountaineering clients will need to have backcountry and safety gear.

Objectives can take 2-3 hours and return for lunch, or some of the more ambitious teams may stay out all day. At any time, a client may choose not to ski, but rather trek or take part in the other activities offered on the ship.

At night, there will be slide shows, lectures or entertainment and I guarantee entertaining characters!

There will be daily visits to penguin rookeries, science stations, and whale watching for those not trekking or skiing or should you choose not to ski or trek for a day. We will have an onboard naturalist, marine biologist, historian and ornithologist to answer all your questions and teach you about the history and landscape of this amazing place. There are as many activities for those not skiing as for those skiing, so this is truly a trip for everyone.

1 night pre-expedition shared hotel accommodation in Ushuaia, Argentina. This room includes a continental breakfast.
Group dinner in Ushuaia.
Group transfers from the hotel to the ship on embarkation and from the ship to the airport on disembarkation and all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board
Shore landings and Zodiac excursions as permitted by weather and local conditions.
Presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers.
Expedition certificate.
Photographic DVD chronicling the voyage.
Comprehensive pre-departure information package
Use of a pair of rubber expedition boots on loan for shore landings. These will be returned at the end of the voyage.

Not Included:
Airfares to or from your home city, whether on scheduled or charter flights.
Passport and visa expenses. Tourist entry fees may apply depending on your nationality.
Any government arrival and departure airport taxes.
Ski or trekking equipment.
Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel and the Welcome dinner on the evening prior to departure.
Baggage, cancellation and travel insurance (emergency medical and evacuation insurance is mandatory.
Excess baggage charges.
Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges onboard the ship or at the hotel.
Telecommunications charges or the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for stewards, guides, and other service personnel.
Tips for guides and hospitality staff.

Related Trips

70% RATE OF RETURNING CLIENTS FOR OVER 10 YEARS

The Andescross family comes back to Southamerica with us and also to Antarctica, Norway, Iceland and the Alps for more good times.

“Back in 2006 I decided I wanted to try backcountry skiing and soon after I ended up contacting Jorgito at Andescross, which was already a very respected guiding company in Argentina.”

The idea of climbing all the mountains and volcanos in patagonia in the winter time and skiing them on the way down sounded too good to be true. Our first trip with Andescross was to Frey Hut with a couple of my brothers. The skiing conditions were as bad as Patagonia can offer so we ended up 2 days stuck in the hut in the midle of a storm and one day skiing on pure ice…

Marcos Q.Tigre, BA, Argentina

“About 10 years ago I contacted Jorge about doing a hut to hut ski trip in the mountains around Bariloche. I chose him because he was a fully certified International Mountain guide.”

This trip proved to be nothing short of fantastic. Jorge was professional, friendly, knowledgeable of the area we were traveling through and was a great travel partner. He took care of my travel arrangements in Bariloche, booked my room for me before and after the trip, and even picked me up at the airport. The next year, I returned for a volcano ski trip with Jorge. We were fortunate enough to ski from the summit of four volcanoes. In the last decade, I have traveled with him at least 8 times. We have skied in Chile and Argentina numerous times, including a trip to the Patagonian Ice-fields.

Tomfriend more than client since 2005

“I have skied with Jorge and Andescross in the Andes and the Alps in Europe. Simply put, the Andes Mountain range is Jorge’s backyard and he knows then well.”

In my view, I think it would be very difficult to find another South American based guide with comparable years of experience in the Andes, guiding credentials, and local knowledge. Over the years, Jorge has gained significant knowledge of the Alps and many other mountain ranges in the world which he includes in his worldwide adventure trips. He is able to quickly gauge conditions, make safe decisions, and find great untracked skiing.

“In just over a six year period, we have done five trips with Jorge and have committed to a sixth next year. We must like this guy! Jorge is THE guide for your Patagonia adventures…and beyond! ”

Our first trip with Jorge in 2010 was for backcountry skiing around Bariloche, Argentina. While we were temporarily weathered out of higher terrain due to high avalanche danger from tons of new snow, we never lacked for fun, challenging, and noteworthy alternatives. He shared with us his hometown stashes, something only a generous local guide could do. Jorge is a consummate mountain guide. He is completely client focused. He is a first rate professional. We trust his judgement, thrill in his ski adventures, and have been blessed to enjoy the beautiful outdoors around the world with him.

Larina & BobSeattle, WA, USA

“40 years ago I flew down to Argentina in my summer for downhill training in the Andes.
I was then racing on the World Cup circuit and so having 4 weeks on snow in summer was really useful training.”

I fell in love with Bariloche and returned the next year again. Sadly this was the last time I made to South America and then, when skiing in Iceland, I bumped into a friend of our guide, John Falkiner. We shared a few beers waiting for our airplane to fly home and John explained that his friend, Jorge, was a guide down in Argentina and that helped in Bariloche.

Konrad Bartelski A British Legend in Ski Racing in 1981

“Jorge and team helped with all the fairly complex planning and logistics for a supported backpacking trip across the Andes”

From Bariloche to Puerto Frias for our group of 10 people, and guided us safely along the route. He and his guides were exceptionally competent, knowledgeable and professional, and everyone had a great time. I would highly recommend Andescross!

Cheryl from The Mountaineers Hiking Club, Seattle WA

“I am currently travelling the world on a sabbatical, looking for amazing experiences. During a stop across south america, I wanted to rock climb in the Frey national park, near Bariloche.”

I found the Andescross team on the internet, and they teamed me up for 3 days with a world class guide instructor. I am a novice rock climber, and my guide Luciano not only provided me with amazing climbing coaching tips, but allowed me to push myself to go beyond my comfort zone, in all safety. And once the climbing was over (once summits were achieved and I could not feel my forearms anymore), it was time for some of the best hospitality I have found on the road this last year. Great dinners, food, friends and laughter to fill our evening, until the call of the rock would get us out of our sleeping bag the next morning.

Brian climber from CanadaI had the pleasure of meeting Jorge in December 2008. My wife and I were in Bariloche, on holiday in Argentina. Jorge had been recommended to us by a climbing friend back home in Canada. I was able to contact him by phone and we worked out a rendez-vous at the Refugio Frey for a day’s climbing on the rock. His knowledge of the area and the realistic time needed to complete various options, made it easy for me to reach a decision. What followed was one of the best days in the mountains that I have experienced over a lifetime in the sport.

Brian, 65, IrishCanadian climbing legend of Squamish, Canada

“Had a FANTASTIC time and thank you so much for all your help and the great guides. Great meeting you!!!!”

We are in BA, but head to Brazil tomorow and am just going to eat, drink and sleep! Anytime you head to Europe, you always have a place to stay in London and hopefully we will be back SOON!”